As the chill of winter sets in and the holiday season approaches, we eagerly anticipate the return of our annual Holiday Pops celebration. This beloved event will take place on Saturday, December 7th, and promises to be a day full of joy and holiday spirit. The celebration will feature performances from the Rivers Honors Big Band, Upper School Musical Theater Conservatory Program, Rivers Youth Symphony, and Marimba Magic Musicianship Ensembles. Before we dive into this year’s festivities, let’s take a moment to reflect on past celebrations that have made Holiday Pops a cherished tradition.

Originally known as Wassail, the event was conceived by Richard Bradley, the former headmaster of the Rivers School, and his wife Mary, a piano teacher at the Rivers School Conservatory. Both Richard and Mary, who were originally from Great Britain, infused the event with English traditions, creating a unique cultural experience. Richard was a well-loved figure at Rivers, remembered for his role in transforming the school, particularly with his introduction of co-education in 1989. The warmth and care Richard and Mary brought to the event made it something truly special.

The early Wassail celebrations were held in the old Berwind Building, originally where the Campus Center now stands, which was transformed into a festive wonderland thanks to the efforts of Inge Holleck, a parent of three RSC students. Richard Bradley also established the tradition of reading Christmas stories, with his rendition of Dr. Seuss’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” becoming an alumni favorite. His captivating storytelling left a lasting impression on all who attended.

In addition to the readings, faculty and students contributed performances that enriched the event. Anne Webb, a faculty member at RSC, fondly remembers being asked by Mary Bradley to play the Scottish fiddle, a gesture that reflected the Bradleys’ British heritage. Ethel Farny, Chair of the RSC Wind Department, recalls the exquisite food Mary Bradley prepared. The Wassail spread featured an array of English pastries, cakes, and tea sandwiches, all elegantly presented, of course accompanied with a glass of Wassail, an English Yuletide mulled cider.

Over time, the event evolved and became Holiday Pops in 2019. Today, the tradition remains strong. As we prepare for this year’s event, we take the opportunity to reflect on the joyful past and the cherished memories that have made Holiday Pops so special to the Rivers community.

We look forward to creating new memories on December 7th, bringing back the magic and warmth of past Wassail celebrations and Holiday Pops while establishing new traditions for years to come.

Article written by Suchi Patel